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Showing posts from November, 2009

Today's Daily Devotional

“Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23 05/14/09 Belief in Christ is the key! But I feel that this verse is speaking about something slightly different. The word used here for “believes” means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. This verse says that everything is possible to him who believes. Believes what? That such a thing is possible with God! I love it when God puts me in a position where the next step I must take is to simply BELIEVE THAT HE IS ABLE! He brings me to a point where I must take a leap of faith right to Him. There’s nothing I can do. I must wait and trust Him to act. In those moments, God is so vivid, so colorful, so huge, so creative. It’s awesome to see how He will do a thing in a new way. And it’s a real privilege to be a part of it!

Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: John Blase and the book: Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas David C. Cook; New edition (September 1, 2009) ***Special thanks to Audra Jennings of the The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Blase’s work includes Living the Questions and Living the Letters Bible-study series, the Worldviews reference book (TH1NK), Real Life Stuff for Couples , and The Message Children’s Bible . A for

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

Enjoy the excerpt below: Here is my review of this touching Christmas tail - I mean tale: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Melody Carlson and her publisher for sending me a copy of "The Christmas Dog" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me. Melody Carlson’s “The Christmas Dog” is a sweet story about an elderly woman who has forgotten how to be a loving neighbor. Through changes in circumstances and the progression of time, Betty has lost touch with the loving person she once was. She thinks the worst of her young neighbor, Jack, who seems to be systematically (and very noisily) destroying his house. And now this man’s neglected dog keeps finding h

Today's Daily Devotional

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts His people. Isaiah 49:13 05/12/09 Why are the heavens shouting for joy? Why does the earth rejoice? Why are the mountains bursting into song? Because the Lord comforts His people. Are you one of the Lord’s people? Have you experienced His comfort? If you have, you know the exhilaration! You know the absolute joy that feels like the heavens are shouting with you. In fact, the angels probably are cheering you on. If God has calmed you as you’ve repented, you are aware of the earth rejoicing. Perhaps as flowers blossom and bloom in an explosion of color like the fireworks on the 4th of July. When God has wrapped you in His everlasting arms and quieted you with His love, you know the majestic power of mountains bursting into song! Maybe the hills really are alive with the sound of music!

Today's Daily Devotional

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 05/07/09 Ezekiel 36:26 supports this verse beautifully. It tells us that God will give us a new heart and put a new spirit within us. He will replace out heart of stone with a heart of flesh. He will trade our hardened heart for a softened one. By replacing our heart, God replaces our inner self. He replaces our mind. He gives us the ability to choose His will. Our understanding increases. He fills us with courage. He fills us with His power. In Jeremiah 31:33, the Lord says that He will write His law on our hearts. This got me thinking. Since the Author of scripture lives within us, shouldn’t we already know scripture? Isn’t it incredible how this becomes the case as we get closer to God through His Word?!?!

REVIEW: Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore

I have just finished Beth Moore’s Bible study “Beloved Disciple” for the second time. This time around, I was fortunate to study with a group using the video materials. It really adds a lot to the study experience. But this is a terrific Bible study even if you just do the workbook by yourself. The subject matter is Jesus, of course, but with a unique twist: getting to know the Lord through the eyes of the disciple who Jesus loved, John – one of the “sons of thunder”. John has always been my favorite apostle – probably because I identify with him so well. After doing this study, I feel even more closely associated with John. Beth Moore takes the student on a fascinating and life-changing journey through the gospel of John, the apostle’s three letters: 1-2-3 John, and the book of Revelation. If possible, do the study with the videos and a group. If not, do the study anyway. Beth Moore is gifted in the area of teaching and inspiring. I am thankful that she has been one of my teachers.

Bible Study: As It Was In The Beginning - Genesis - Chapter 4

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Genesis. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses you through this material. Stacey Take a few minutes to savor Genesis Chapter 4. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations… 4:14 – Cain realized that living without God was a punishment. 4:25 – Adam was about 130 years old. 4:26 – the beginning of prayer. What attributes of God have you observed in your study today? How will this change your relationship with Him?

Today's Daily Devotional

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 05/06/09 This verse calls God the Lord of peace. We have discussed previously that means He owns it. It belongs to Him. He can give it to whomever He wants. We have also talked about the true definition of peace is not a stagnant, motionless thing. However, it is calming in the sense that it is assurance of salvation through Christ. There is nothing to fear because we are promised a place in heaven when we accept Christ and invite Him to live in our heart. This is the same word used to describe the fruit of the Spirit. So, how can assurance of salvation manifest itself as an observable behavior? Have you ever watched a mature Christian go through a traumatic circumstance? It’s a beautiful thing. Sure there are tears and grief, but there is also quiet strength, acceptance and evidence that they’re holding tightly to the Lord.

REVIEW: Honey, I'm Home by Linda Windsor

Linda Windsor’s “Honey, I’m Home” is the touching, tender story of a couple separated first by a pending divorce, then, by the husband’s untimely death in a volatile country. Before signing the divorce papers, Nick Egan takes a journalism assignment that cost him his life. Kathryn moved on with her life, raising her boys as a single parent. After 6 ½ years, when the doorbell rings on one of the biggest professional evenings of Kathryn’s life, Nick stands on the stoop and sends his wife’s world into a tailspin. Will they move forward with the divorce? Or can Nick convince Kathryn that he is a different man, and he’d like to make up for lost time, hurt feelings, and win her heart all over again? This is a wonderfully romantic tale that will bring several smiles to your face.

Today's Daily Devotional

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 04/20/09 Are you weary? I’m not talking about the kind of weariness that can be treated with proper rest, diet and exercise. This is not the sort of weariness that can be soaked away in a bathtub or rubbed out by a masseuse. The Greek word “kopaio” means, among other things, to grow exhausted with burdens or grief. Have you ever been that burdened or grief-stricken? This is talking about a state of weariness of soul. Regardless of how you get that way, the important issue is how do I get relief? Well, this verse says that we should spell relief J-E-S-U-S! We must go to Him, approach the throne. When we feel weary or burdened, we must run to the Lord. That’s all we need to do. Run to Jesus and He will give you rest!

Today's Daily Devotional

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 04/17/09 God has plans for YOU! The Hebrew for the word “plans” translates as thought, device, plan, purpose, invention. I find it incredible that God may have invented a specific task for me to complete during my time on the earth. He molded my personality, likes, dreams, talents and love for Him all together to create the absolute perfect thing for me to do to share the gospel and spread His Word like wildfire throughout the earth. He’s done the same for you. Are you faithfully performing that task? Are you persevering even though it seems that the task you’ve been given is bearing no fruit right now? Are you trusting God to use what He has called you to do? It is His plan. You don’t need to understand. You just need to obey. Plant the seeds and trust Him to make them grow.

A Novel Idea by ChiLibras

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: ChiLibras (contributions from best-selling authors including Jerry B. Jenkins, Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Randy Alcorn, Terri Blackstock, Robin Jones Gunn, Angela Hunt and more) and the book: A Novel Idea Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (November 1, 2009) ***Special thanks to Vicky Lynch of Tyndale House Publishers for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE BOOK: Best-selling Christian fiction writers have teamed together to contr

Today's Daily Devotional

I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 04/10/09 Since we are Christians, we will live for eternity in His presence. What do you think our primary “job” in heaven will be? You guessed it. We are going to praise God! We are going to spend an eternity doing this. So, why not start practicing right now? When we get to heaven, there will be nothing to hinder our praise. But now, there are obstacles and hindrances that keep us from feeling thankful or like we want to worship. I believe that is why it is called a “sacrifice of praise”. Rewards await those who are willing to sacrifice this way. A lot of those rewards are experienced right here on earth when we draw so close to the Lord that He knocks down the obstacles that attempt to hinder our worship of Him. What could you praise Him for right now? Do it!

REVIEW: Colonial Christmas Brides

“Colonial Christmas Brides” by Lauralee Bliss and Irene Brand is a charming collection of stories that takes the reader back in time to the days of America’s birth through the fictional accounts of settlers of Jamestown and Williamsburg. These stories are peppered with colonial history, and take me back to the stretch of time when I lived in the Tidewater area of Virginia, and spent every weekend exploring and soaking up the history of this incredibly beautiful place. ***“Jamestown’s Bride Ship” by Irene B. Brand tells the story of Susanna Carter, an Englishwoman who has been sent to live with her Aunt in Jamestown when her Grandmother tires of her refusal to marry wealthy Englishmen who don’t appeal to her. Susanna’s heart is set on a marriage like her parents had – one full of love. Joshua Deane is a colonial plantation owner who has lost his first wife and son in a native uprising. His compassionate gaze lands on a seasick Susanna, and he helps her get to her Aunt’s home, and from t

Today's Daily Devotional

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8 04/08/09 Who will keep you strong to the end? God will keep you strong to the end. He will empower you to do things you never imagined. Does the verse “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” ring a bell? How long will He give you strength? To the end. The end of what? Your life. We are given such a limited time to participate in His plan for mankind. And He has prepared specific tasks for us to do to fulfill that plan. He knows that we cannot do it on our own, and He is prepared to give us the strength to do whatever it is He has for us. But to accept His strength, we must admit our weakness, our inability to do things on our own. Can you do that? Everyday? And allow the King of the Universe to fill you with the same power that parted the Red Sea, dropped manna in the desert, brought water from a rock, healed the sick, raised the d

Today's Daily Devotional

Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Psalm 150:1-2 04/07/09 How about on just plain blah days? It’s easy to praise God when things are going well. And you can work with Him on being able to praise Him when He’s the only thing left standing in your world. But what about praising God on an average Tuesday? You get up, eat, shower, dress, go to work, do your job, eat lunch, do your job some more, drive home, make dinner, eat dinner, hold your eyes open until 10 o’clock-ish, wash your face, brush your teeth, floss, go to bed, repeat, repeat, repeat. On days like this, when it is easy to forget about God, we must be deliberate about praising Him. Sing to the Lord. Verbalize your thanks for things you normally take for granted. Look for His activity where you are – we should all be doing this, anyway. Perhaps these things will get us into the habit of praising Him. He deserves n

Fit For My King by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Discover the best health and weight-loss secrets found in God's Word! In this 30 day journey, the bestselling author of His Princess shares how God healed her from an eating disorder, helped her conquer chronic fatigue, and gave her the strength and wisdom to lose over sixty pounds and keep it off. Today, at nearly 50 years old, Sheri Rose is healthy and free. More than a half a million women have been set free through this life changing teaching. You can win this diet war once and for all! Sheri Rose Shepherd walks through each day with you, supporting you with 30 days of life changing devotions, heartwarming stories, creative cooking, and a daily dose of Scripture to keep you on track. The treasures of truth found in these pages will transform the way you see yourself forever. It's time to get your girlfriends together and become the best version of you! God loves you and will be with you every step of the way. Here is my review of this wonderfully encouraging book: First of

Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card authors are: Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss and the book: Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana Summerside Press (December 1, 2009) ***Special thanks to Amy Lathrop of LitFUSE Publicity Group for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tricia Goyer was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference "Writer of the Year" in 2003. Her book Night Song won Book of the Year from ACFW in the Long Historical Fiction category. He

Today's Daily Devotional

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 04/20/09 Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your wonderful Son, Jesus, to ask that You would bless the people reading this right now. Keep them within Your perfect will, Lord. Watch over them because You love them. Manifest that love to them in tangible ways. Quicken the Holy Spirit within them to draw them ever nearer to You each day. Give them Your peace that flows like a river and surpasses all human understanding. Make each one into the person that You created them to be. Amen.

On The Mindless Menace of Violence by Robert F. Kennedy

Today, to commemorate the birthday of Robert F. Kennedy, I am posting a speech given by the man. At the end of the movie "Bobby", there is a wonderful speech by RFK that we hear as the credits roll. Here is that speech. As poignant today as is was when originally written and orated over 40 years ago... This is a time of shame and sorrow. It is not a day for politics. I have saved this one opportunity, my only event of today, to speak briefly to you about the mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives. It is not the concern of any one race. The victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are, most important of all, human beings whom other human beings loved and needed. No one - no matter where he lives or what he does - can be certain who will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed. And yet it goes on and on and on in this country of ours. Why? What has violence ever

Bible Study: As It Was In The Beginning - Genesis - Chapter 3

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Genesis. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses you through this material. Stacey Take a few minutes to savor Genesis Chapter 3. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations… 3 – “It wasn’t the apple in the tree that was the problem. It was the pear (pair) on the ground.” (Tony Evans – A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place – Beth Moore) 3:1 – serpent – as a creature, Adam and Eve should have ruled over him (see 1:28), but they allowed him to rule over them! the words for “crafty” and “naked” are almost the same. (NIVSB) crafty – arum – means smooth. It’s a play on the word “naked” from 2:24-25. Together, these verses say, “the man’s skin was smooth and the serpent’s tongue was smooth.” (A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Pl

Today's Daily Devotional

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Revelation 7:12 04/21/09 It was interesting to study this verse today. I learned that the Greek word used for thanks is “eucaristia”. It means thankfulness. And the Greek resembles the Catholic term for the communion bread, which is called the eucharist. I think it’s sweet that the Greek word for thanks should be used for the remembrance of Christ’s body when we celebrate communion. The Greek word for honor is “time”, which is the value one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds, deference, reverence. There is no higher rank than the King of the Universe! He deserves the highest praise! How much value do you place on the Lord? Would others know that based on how you act? What could you do to be sure that others are aware of how highly you value God?

Today's Daily Devotional

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 04/01/09 By withholding forgiveness from those who have hurt you, you hurt yourself. The increase in anxiety and bitterness alone is a horrible thing to inflict upon yourself. If you don’t like it when others hurt you, why do you hurt you? I’m not sure, but I am guilty of this, too. I can hold a grudge with very little effort. But in this verse, God commands us to give our anxiety to Him. Let Him deal with our issues – with ourselves and others. Let Him be the judge since He alone has the right to do so! Let go and let God. We’ve all heard the phrase. Now, we need to put it into practice. Release yourself from the aggravation of keeping track of others’ wrongs. Allow God to lavish you with His love.

REVIEW: Kona With Jonah by Sandra Glahn

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Sandra Glahn and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Kona With Jonah" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me. Sandra Glahn’s “Kona With Jonah” is an incredibly fun and fascinating Bible study in her Coffee Cup Bible Study series. In this four-week study, we travel with the disobedient Old Testament prophet, Jonah for some valuable life lessons in forgiveness. So don’t let the size of this study or its “too cute” cover fool you. It is absolutely loaded with Biblical lessons that are pertinent and extremely valuable to us today. The historical perspective that Sandra Glahn adds to these Bible studies is incredibly meaty and brings the scriptures to more colorful

So You Want To Be A Work-At-Home Mom: A Christian's Guide To Starting a Home-Based Business by Jill Hart and Diana Ennen

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card authors are: Jill Hart and Diana Ennen and the book: So You Want To Be A Work-At-Home Mom: A Christian's Guide To Starting a Home-Based Business Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (August 15, 2009) ***Special thanks to Jill Hart for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHORs: Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of the upcoming book So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill, Sept. 2009)